Showing posts with label San Mateo County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Mateo County. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

SMCP - Sanchez Adobe





A visit to the Sanchez Adobe was another San Mateo County Parks Foundation outing.  Today the adobe, which was built by Francisco Sanchez between 1842 and 1846 is a San Mateo County Park run by the San Mateo County History Association.





The site of the adobe was originally, the village of Pruristac, a settlement of the Ramaytush band of the Ohlone people.

 In 1786 the Spanish, Mission Dolores, in San Francisco, which had absorbed many of the Ohlone in the area, established  San Pedro y San Pablo Asistencia, to promote missionary work and by farming to provide food for the main mission. The farming effort was soon abandoned, however, cattle ranching continued until the demise of the mission system in 1834.

The Mexican Government granted the land to Francisco Sanchez the 8th Alcade of San Francisco.

The adobe was purchased by Edward Kirkpatrick in 1871.  He did extensive remodeling. Later lives included a time as the Adobe House, a hotel, and as a speakeasy during the depression.







The museum on the site today, offers a view of items from throughout its history.  A new nature center was being planned when I visited and I believe it has now been opened.

It's a great place for an afternoon outing






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Sanchez Adobe - SMCHA

Sanchez Adobe - SMCP
Sanchez Adobe - Wikipedia


Wednesday, April 29, 2020

SMCP-Edgewood


 Edgewood was probably the most visited of all the county parks.  It provided many a place to run and walk for exercise.

It has a great lawn for kids to play and shady tables to have a picnic.

 And it was Edgewood in 1992 that provided a venue for the Madden Family Reunion.

It offers a wealth of terrain types....trees, golden fields, magnificent wild flowers, deer, bunnies and the views!!!
















Wednesday, April 1, 2020

SMCP-Devil's Slide

We were invited to hike the new Devils Slide Trail as contributors to the San Mateo County Parks Foundation.....the first time we brought along a cranky granddaughter and finally left before seeing the entire trail.  Fortunately there was another tour and we got to the other end.  There was a gorgeous sunset that day!





Wednesday, February 5, 2020

SMCP - Pillar Point Bluff

It was another great day with the San Mateo County Parks Foundation,  a beautiful January day, and Michele had arranged for Malia and Chris to lead this birding hike.  Malia is an expert for  ibirds, responsible for checking reported sightings for the area.  Also on the hike were rangers Rob Cala and Mark Schneider.  Rob Cala's huge camera lens captured some wonderful shots of the day.  Check the harrier and the heron below.



As we hiked the bluff, I realized I had been there once before, without realizing it, when we took our Bay to Bridge hike in 2014.
Harrier Land Brush - Rob Cala 2020 - Used with permission
Northern Harrier










Misty Pillar Point Harbor







Once you know where this park is, it is easy to get to and well worth the drive to get there.  It's a short hike to Mavericks Beach or in the other direction to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

Pillar Point Bluff County Park
More Pictures


Magnificent Mushrooms
Fly Agaric
Heron - Rob Cala 2020 - Used with permission
Black Crowned Night Heron 





Friday, December 13, 2019

SMCP - Junipero Serra County Park

Another great day in a county park I hadn't visited before, thanks to the San Mateo County Parks Foundation.  Director, Michelle Beasley provided a great history lesson and good food.

Nature provided a surprise by dropping a tree across the planned hiking path, but the views were lovely anyway!!!






Junipero Serra County Park was established in 1956 on 108 acres that had been part of the Buri Buri Rancho. Although it is one of the smaller county parks, it is still possible to cobble together a couple mile hike.  It is easily accessible from Crystal Springs Road, just a short distance from Interstate 280,

Junipero Serra County Park
1801 Crystal Springs Rd.
San Bruno, CA 94066










Friday, December 21, 2018

San Bruno Mountain (SP) (CP)




Such magnificent views! On a hike with family, including grandchildren we reached the top of the mountain. Pictures here are from a great spring hike in 2018.





"San Bruno Mountain Park is a landmark of local and regional significance, standing as a unique open-space island in the midst of the peninsula's urbanization at the northern end of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range. The Mountain's ridge line runs in an east-west configuration, with considerable slopes and elevations ranging from 250 feet to 1,314 feet at the summit. The 2,416 acres of rugged landscape offer excellent hiking opportunities and outstanding views of San Francisco and Central Bay Area."
San Bruno Mountain State and County Park